Islam Times - Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has underscored the significance of electing qualified lawmakers in the upcoming parliamentary votes for a ‘strong’ Majlis that is ‘key’ to the country’s progress.

The Iranian people have always played their part properly. A qualified Majlis can play an effective and determining role in the country’s advancement, said President Ahmadinejad on Tuesday.

He added that Iranians have been the main decision-makers for their country over the past 33 years.

Iran’s chief executive stated that the presence of competent lawmakers in Majlis will strengthen national unity, coherence and solidarity.

Ahmadinejad called on the Iranian people to participate in the upcoming votes, due on March 2, saying the elections set the stage for the public presence in important and vital affairs of the country.

Iran's Guardian Council, charged with supervising the elections, approved the competence of more than 3,400 candidates to compete for 290 Majlis seats.

On February 21, Iran’s Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar said that 48,288,799 people are eligible to cast their ballots in the upcoming vote.